Grace Mugabe once said: ‘My husband will rule beyond his grave’

On May 26, 2016, Grace Mugabe issued a statement that remains among the most incredulous during her husband’s rule.

“We want you to lead this country from your grave, while you lie at the National Heroes’ Acre,” News Day quoted her speech to party supporters in Harare.

Also Read: Gucci Grace: How Mugabe’s mistress rose to power

Her husband responded saying those who want him to retire should ‘go hang’ in a jibe seemingly directed at the West.

The couple’s sentiments describe the tyrannical and oppressive nature of Mugabe’s 37-year-rule.

Robert and Grace were married when the latter was 72 years old and his bride 31.

The Zimbabwean leader had been previously married to Sally Mugabe who died in 1992.

According to News24, Grace and Robert began their relationship while Sally was battling with an illness.

Their relationship was however not as rosy as their public appearances made it seem.

An NTV report said ‘Robert Mugabe used to be beaten by his wife Grace’.

Forbes also described Grace Mugabe as a ‘luxury addict’ citing their Ksh.1billion ($10-million), 25-bedroom mansion in Harare as part of her expansive wealth.

The report highlighted her extravagant shopping habits abroad including a Ksh.7 million spree at a shop in Paris, France.

Apparently the former Zimbabwean First Lady was also known as the ‘First Shopper’ or ‘Gucci Grace’.

Despite the army and other Zimbabwean leaders criticising her nature, her husband would still tout her as his Vice President in waiting.

He fired the office holder Emmerson Mnangagwa in preparation for her to take office but was ousted in a coup before this could happen.

Also Read: Grace Mugabe, accused of whipping woman with electric cord

Grace retreated from the public eye with her name only appearing later in December 2018 when South Africa issued an arrest warrant for her.

It was alleged that she had assaulted a model inside a luxury hotel in Johannesburg.

She had been issued with immunity after the 2017 incident and left South Africa only for the court to overturn the decision.

The two countries have an extradition agreement, according to the Guardian newspaper, but the now Mnangagwa-led government has remained mum on the issue.